I. Black Sesame Seeds
Black foods nourish the kidneys, aiding in storing essence and regulating qi. Black sesame seeds are exceptionally effective for blood replenishment, and many other black and red foods share this property. The kidneys store essence, essence generates marrow, and marrow transforms into blood—thus, the root of blood lies in the kidneys. The theory that red foods replenish blood stems from the principle of "like nourishes like, color nourishes color."
Sesame seeds enter the liver, kidney, lung, and spleen meridians, offering benefits such as nourishing blood and improving vision, generating essence and promoting lactation, and strengthening the liver and nourishing hair. Consuming sesame seeds can enhance the kidney's blood-generating function, the liver's blood-storing capacity, and the spleen's blood-governing role.
II. Red Dates
Nourish the stomach and strengthen the spleen; replenish blood and calm the spirit. They also moisturize the heart and lungs, harmonize ying and wei qi, promote fluid production, open orifices, and benefit the twelve meridians. They are highly effective for treating anemia, pallor, and blood deficiency.
III. Pork Liver
Individuals with blood deficiency or iron-deficiency anemia may regularly consume stir-fried pork liver with spinach.
IV. Lotus Root
Lotus root possesses a mild nature. Raw lotus root stops bleeding, while cooked lotus root nourishes blood. When eaten raw, it clears heat, cools the blood, stops bleeding, and disperses blood stasis. Cooked lotus root strengthens the spleen and stomach and nourishes blood.Patients with nosebleeds or bleeding from the mouth can urgently consume fresh raw lotus root juice for rapid hemostasis.
While lotus root offers health benefits, its suitability varies by individual constitution. Women generally benefit from it, but raw consumption is inadvisable during menstruation or for those with chronic cold-type menstrual pain.Diabetics should avoid cooked lotus root or lotus root starch. 5. Carrots Entering the spleen, stomach, and lung meridians, carrots are an excellent food for nourishing blood and improving kidney deficiency. They replenish blood, nourish the liver, strengthen the spleen, and promote digestion. They are particularly effective in improving vision loss and blindness caused by liver blood deficiency. They also significantly alleviate indigestion and hiccups caused by spleen deficiency and food stagnation.
VI. Longan Meat
Nourishes the heart and spleen while replenishing blood and qi. Effective for qi deficiency, heart blood deficiency, palpitations, and insomnia. For dual deficiency of heart and spleen qi and blood, resulting in dull complexion, fatigue, loss of appetite, and loose stools, prepare a nourishing porridge by simmering longan with red dates.
For memory decline, poor sleep, and heightened fear—symptoms of heart blood deficiency—prepare homemade longan paste: Mash 500g longan flesh with 500g white sugar, steam over water until thickened. Take one teaspoon morning and evening with warm water.
VII. Black Beans
Support kidney function in producing marrow and transforming blood, while enhancing spleen and stomach digestion. Beneficial for those with kidney deficiency or blood deficiency. Regular consumption helps prevent aging, combat fatigue, and boost vitality.
8. Black Fungus (Wood Ear Mushroom)
Nourishes yin, replenishes blood, moistens lungs, and improves vision.
9. Black-Bone Chicken
Nourishes yin and reduces deficiency heat. Black-bone chicken soup is sweet and warm, tonifying deficiencies, nourishing yin and blood, and greatly replenishing qi and blood. Suitable for those with yang deficiency or deficiency of both qi and blood. Avoid excessive consumption—limit to twice monthly. Not suitable for long-term use by those prone to internal heat.
10. Brown Sugar
Boosts qi and blood, strengthens the spleen, warms the stomach, eases pain, and promotes blood circulation to dispel stasis. Its warming nature suits those prone to coldness or with a cold constitution. Avoid if suffering from gastric pain due to gastritis or gastric ulcers, or if diabetic.
Optimal Pairings for Blood Nourishment
(1) Pairing 1: Tomatoes + Yogurt
Iron helps prevent and alleviate anemia in women. When consumed with vitamin C, iron absorption is significantly enhanced. Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C, boosting iron absorption—a crucial step for achieving blood-nourishing effects.Ripe red tomatoes are exceptionally rich in vitamin C, while yogurt's protein content promotes iron absorption. Thus, pairing tomatoes with yogurt creates an excellent iron source. With numerous yogurt varieties available, opt for unsweetened plain yogurt to avoid excessive sugar intake.